Use of multi-criteria methods to support decision-making in drug management for leprosy patients

Abstract

Leprosy remains a major public health problem in the world. Despite the availability of treatment, the disease continues to be neglected. Treatment is one of the main alternatives, however, the scarcity of medication and its poor distribution are important factors that have driven the spread of the disease, leading to irreversible and multi-resistant complications. This paper uses a distribution methodology to optimise medication administration, taking into account the most relevant attributes for the epidemiological profile of patients and the deficit in treatment via polychemotherapy. Multi-criteria decision methods were used applied in a database with information from patients in the State of Pará between 2015 and 2020. The results pointed out that 84% of individuals did not receive any treatment and of these, the method obtained a gain in the distribution of 68% in patients with positive diagnosis for leprosy.